The Pittsburgh Steelers had to say goodbye to some important players during the 2025 offseason, with one of the most notable individuals being former first-round pick Najee Harris. It became clear that the 2024 season would be the running back's last year with the Steelers after the organization declined his fifth-year option, and he ended up signing with the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 offseason. This was a natural landing spot for Harris, as he had a pre-existing relationship with Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and grew up on the West Coast.
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Former Steelers Russell Wilson and Najee Harris walk off the field after a crushing playoff defeat in 2024.
The back signed a one-year deal in Los Angeles, and he had his introductory press conference on Friday afternoon. The back spoke about his excitement to play for the Chargers, while also reminiscing on his time with Pittsburgh. He got a tour of the facility and was asked about it during his press conference, and the former Steeler was impressed as he compared it to what he had in Pittsburgh.
"It's a great weight room first of all." Harris said. "It's all great things. There's a lot of things that they provide here that you can take advantage of. I was just telling them, 'Man, it's not like this everywhere man.' This is a special thing right here. It sort of reminds me of college at Alabama, you know, all the resources that they have. So, just getting the chance to take advantage of all this opportunity is a blessing. I was telling him, 'Y'all got a great thing going on. It's not like this everywhere.'"
It is no secret that Pittsburgh's facility is out-dated, and that is highlighted by the NFLPA report cards every offseason. The Steelers share a facility with a college team, and its facilities are out-classed by most college programs. Players don't play in Pittsburgh for a glamorous weight room and facility; it is more about the tradition and history of success.
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Former Steelers running back Najee Harris runs against the Ravens' defense during a Wild Card game in 2025.
As the years go on more and more players entering the NFL care about the facilities and the kind of resources an organization has, and that makes sense. Players spend a lot of their times there, and everything they need should be in one place. Clearly, this is an area the Steelers need to work on.
It is also important to note that the Chargers just finished building this new facility that Harris spoke so highly of. It is a top of the line practice facility called "The Bolt", and it was completed during the 2024 offseason. The building is not even a year old, and it is probably the nicest facility in the league.
The Steelers should have the goal of upgrading their facilities in the near future. It is going to start to become more of a draw for free agents as the years go on, so it would be better to get a head start now.
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Steelers Owner and Team President Art Rooney II looks on before a game.
Steelers' Own Players Even Believe Facilities Need To Improve
Every season the NFLPA surveys players on various aspects of their organizations. This includes coaching, ownership, team travel, the food, and the facilities that are used. The coaching aspect of these report cards is usually good for the Steelers, while the ownership and facilities sections are fairly rough. Pittsburgh's report card going into 2025 was pretty bleak, as the Steelers received a D for their locker room, a C+ for their training room, a C+ for their weight room, and a D in ownership.
Art Rooney II can get his ownership grade up if he simply decides to invest some money into the facility to make player's everyday life a bit more enjoyable. Athletes need essential tools and equipment to recover on a day-to-day basis, and making sure things like that are taken care of should be a top priority moving forward.
What do you think of Harris' comments? Let us know in the comments below!
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